“THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS”
Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”
Jesus never stopped being God. He kept some things, the mysteries of God, secret. Most of the prophets sent to the Jews throughout the New and Old Testament were rejected eventually leaving the house desolate. Jesus would not return until they could proclaim Blessed is the Lord.
The Jews could have accepted their King but He knew that they would reject Him until they became destitute. The disciples ask Jesus what the end would be. He warned them to be aware that many would come saying they were the Messiah.They are not.
Luke 21:20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
Jesus told them that the nation of Israel would be surrounded by her enemies. These would be the days of vengeance. In those days all things that were written in prophesy would be fulfilled. The whole world would be in distress.
Acts 2:15 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
At Pentecost the things spoken of by Joel were fulfilled. In the last days God poured out His Spirit on the Israelites with signs and wonders. Before the Day of the Lord it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Then the world will be ready to recognize Jesus as their King.
Luke 23:32-38
32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. 35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.” 38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. The New King James Version
Jesus’ prediction of dying with the transgressors (see Isaiah’s prediction in Isaiah 53:12) was fulfilled when two criminals accompanied Him to death.
The name of the place in Aramaic is Golgotha, which means “Skull.” Calvary is the Latin name for Golgotha. Those who put Jesus to death acted in ignorance, not really understanding who it was they were killing. Jesus’ example of interceding for His executioners was followed by Stephen in Acts 7:60.
They divided His garments and cast lots alludes to the suffering Righteous One of Psalm 22:18. The drink referred to here was probably wine vinegar, which was inexpensive and quenched thirst better than water. It was a drink of the poor.
KING OF THE JEWS: This inscription, which gave the charge against Christ, was written in three languages. Jesus was killed for who He is. The NKJV Study Bible
Luke does not specify their crimes. Matthew and Mark describe them as robbers or rebels. They cast lots to divide his clothes is a reference to Psalm 22:18. Psalm 22 is a lament psalm closely associated with the suffering and death of Jesus. Let Him save Himself is a taunt from the rulers is full of irony. Had Jesus saved Himself, He would not have fulfilled His mission to save humanity.
In addition to stating the charges against Jesus this inscription “Jesus is King of the Jews” is meant to mock Him. Ironically, it correctly identifies Jesus as Israel’s Messiah. Faithlife Study Bible
Matthew 27:33–44 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink…
John 19:17–24 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center…
Psalm 22:16–18 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; 17 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. 18 They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.
God has provided us with salvation through Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is our ultimate Helper (John 14:26; John 16:7), equipping us to pursue excellence (Proverbs 31:10) and faithfully fear the Lord. As we do, we can cheer each other on in becoming more like Jesus. First5
The bombs that go off around us take different forms… violence, natural disaster, loss of faith, cruelty, personal and emotional breakdown, fragile health. It all seems out of the blue. But it all adds up to wreckage. In our spirit. In our hearts. In our relationships. And when heaviness shifts the narrative, we feel at the mercy of, as if our power of choice is gone.
The good news? Jesus invites all who are weary and heavy laden.
But here’s how it plays out for me. When I’m weary, I don’t feed my soul. Lethargy gives way to bleakness (loss of hope) and the desire to quit. I sense myself shutting down. Like living with a restrictor plate on my heart. (I still wrestle with shame from my childhood about ‘fessing up to the dark and broken parts in my spirit. Which only exacerbates the spiral.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.” (Dr. King) To show compassion, love and redemption. I don’t know where that capacity comes from, but here’s the deal: I know that it is alive and well in every single one of us. The light of hope, perseverance and connection. The light of civility, beauty and compassion. Yes, the light of connection and rebuilding.
When I am reminded of this truth my heart expands. And the good news? A full heart always spills. Sabbath Moments
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